In a move to round out its wireless and networking product portfolio, Qualcomm acquired Atheros for US$3.1 billion, or US$45 a share. For Qualcomm, the acquisition highlights a strategy to move beyond its traditional cellular market into more mainstream computing.

Word of the deal surfaced on Wednesday via reports on CNBC, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

With the Atheros acquisition, Qualcomm gains access to wireless LAN, Ethernet, Bluetooth, GPS, passive optical networking and powerline technologies. Qualcomm will take those products and ultimately integrate them with its smartphone and tablet chips.